JET Airways is planning to boost international services from 370 to 518 flights per week for the upcoming winter 2012 schedule, after Air India’s monopoly on unutilised international routes was lifted (TTG Asia e-Daily, March 30, 2012).

The airline has sought permission from India’s Ministry of Civil Aviation to mount an additional 35 weekly flights to Germany, and seven weekly services each to Belgium, France, Saudi Arabia, Vietnam, Doha and Sharjah.

Other Indian carriers such as SpiceJet and IndiGo are also expected to file for permission to expand, not only for winter 2012 but also for summer 2013.

Aviation analysts at KPMG believe that high operating costs and lower profits in the domestic market are pushing Indian airlines to shift capacity to international routes.

Arjun Dhanwatay, COO, Cenin Tours & Travels Nagpur said: “(More) Indian carriers (will soon be able to) offer international connections from non-metro cities, where a critical mass of demand exists, and can win over a large segment of international travellers who currently have to fly domestic to New Delhi or Mumbai to avail of international flights.”